Kirillo-Belozerski Museum owns a unique and rich collection of Russian Medieval paintings and works of applied art. Most of the exhibited icons come from the Kirillo-Belozerski Monastrey itself, as well as from the Ferapontov and Nilo-Sorski Monasterie, Goritski Convent and from various parish churchs of the Belo Ozero Redion. here one can also admire different percious objects required for divine service and a number of rare books from the library of the brethren.
Uspenski (Assumption) Kirillo-Belozerski Monastery was founded in 1397by Brothet Kirill (1337 - 1427) from the Moscow Simonov (St. Simons) Monastery. He was a disciple of the Holy Monk Dergi of Radonezh, one of the most venerated Russian saints and founder of the great Troitse-Sergiyev Lavra. The monastry occupies two low hills on the bank of the Siversjoye Lake and consists of eleven stone chruches and a number of service buildings and cells, surrounded by imposing walls and towers, erected in the 17th and 18th centries.
The virtues
and spirtual fortitude of Kirill and his followers brought wide fame to his
foundation. After Grand Duke Vasili III and Ivan the Terrible prayed here and
granted large sums of the brethren. Numerous donations also came from the
representatives of the high nobility , exiled by the latter ruler to the remote
northern monastery. This was not only land and money , but also books, icons,
precious vessels, embroidered palls and vestments.
The high standing and prosperity of the monastery made it the most important cultural centre of Russian north. A large number of monks were engaged in its scriptorium, experienced masters, both local and from afar, worked in the "Silver hall", and prominent artists where invited from Moscow to paint icons. Objects made from stone, ivory and wood that have come down to us are splendid examples of the high skill of local craftsman.